Mr. Sam Cooper

Sam Cleveland Cooper was born March 9, 1938, to the late Zack Cooper Sr. and Agnes M. Cooper. He departed this life on April 2, 2023, at Lake City Scranton Healthcare Center, Scranton SC.

Sam graduated from Battery Park High School, Nesmith SC, Denmark Technical College, Denmark SC, and Essex County VocTech College, Newark, NJ where he achieved his Master Plumbing License. He then began working as a Foreman for Plastic Industrial in Newark, NJ for 8 years. December 12, 1964, Sam was unified in holy matrimony to Ruby L. Cooper. This union was blessed with two sons, Kelton Cooper, East Orange, NJ and Samuel Cooper of Cades, SC. He then went on to work with Broxton Plumbing and Heating Inc., Newark NJ for 10 years. In 1979, Sam established his own company Sam Cooper Plumbing and Heating Inc. and was one of the first African Americans to join the New Jersey Plumbers Association. For 40 years, Sam loved plumbing and had several contract with churches, residents and schools in New Jersey, New York and South Carolina.

Sam’s hobbies was hunting with the Raccoon Club, fishing with his brothers, gardening, and baseball. Sam also served as a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, of Orange NJ for 20 years as a Trustee, served as a pastor aid, and a member of Men’s Club. Upon relocating to South Carolina in 2001 to Bethesda United Methodist Church, were he was born and raised he served in different capacities. Sam showed his love and loyalty for Bethesda within the Finance Committee where he served as Chairman of Finance for 20 years. He also was a member of the United Methodist Men and Adult Men’s Choir.

Sam will be remembered for his work as a plumber. He was devoted and a dedicated member of Bethesda. He Loved the Finance Committee and he was a devoted family man. Sam’s siblings that preceded him in death was Evelyn Cooper, Harry Cooper, Eddie Cooper, William Davis Cooper, and Renee Cooper. He leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted wife, Ruby Cooper; two sons, Kelton (Frankie) Cooper of Orange, NJ, and Samuel “Os” Cooper of Cades, SC; three sisters, Mary McKnight of Florence, SC; Eloise Cooper of Miami, FL, and Ada Graham of Maryland. Three brothers, Zack (Mary) Cooper of Cades, SC, Daniel (Nellie) Cooper of Lake City, SC, George (Betty) Cooper of Lake City, SC. Four sister-in-laws: Earline Cooper of Brooklyn, NY, Edith Cooper of Lake City, SC, Jean McKnight of Lake City, SC, and Perly M. Hannah of Lake City, SC. One brother-in-law: Calvin (Sandra) Cooper of Chester, VA. Five grandchildren: Keli Cooper, Kenya Cooper, Kaylah Cooper of Cades, SC, Zamir Cooper, and Koran Pair all of Orange, NJ. Special grandson: Andrew Pressley. Three great grandchildren: Sabriyah Jackson, Dion Jackson, Kamari Cooper-Brewer all of New Jersey. Special friends: Kenneth McKnight, Rudolph Powells, Charles Jenkins, Tommy Alls, Timothy Dicks, Amos Smith. God children: Terry Mitchell, Michael Dicks, Theron Dicks, and Kingston Brown and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.